42 MYSTERIES OF THE FLOWERS 



pistil, and although self-fertilisation might easily 

 be affected by insect visitors, cross-fertilisation is 

 far more likely to take place, for when the insect 

 settles first upon the stigma cross-fertilisation is a 

 certainty, and if he alights upon a petal cross-fer- 

 tilisation is still probable, owing to the spreading 

 of the anthers. The elder is visited mostly by 

 honey-bees who come in search of pollen, as their 

 blossoms have little nectar to offer as a lure. 



Water Plantain — Alisma plantago-aquatica 

 July-Sept. 



Though the flowers of this plant grow in a much 

 more open cluster than the foregoing, the florets 

 bear a resemblance to those of the elder in having 

 the short stigma and wide-spreading stamens. They 

 are visited by the bee-like drone flies (Syrpliidoe), 

 to whom they offer both pollen and nectar. 



Yellow Star Grass — Hypoxis hirsuta 

 April- July 



A charming little golden star 

 flower whose six stamens spread 

 as wide as they can, resting close 

 against the petals. They attract 

 the smaller bees (Halictus) and 

 GRASS ' the butterflies {Brenthis Bel- 



